Lawyer, Drug Court

Work Type: Fixed-term - Full-time

Salary: $90,871 - $101,868

Grade: WVR 3.2

Occupation: Legal

Location: Melbourne - CBD and Inner Metro suburbs

Reference: VG/VLA/CL/1881589

Seeking an experienced criminal lawyer to play an active role in supporting participants to address their drug and/or alcohol dependency.

• 1x full time maximum term position up to 12 months
• 1x full time maximum term position up to 12 months (parental leave backfill position)
• Salary range: $90,871 - $101,868 (pro rata) plus super plus salary packaging
• Up to $15,900 in salary packaging and hybrid WFH & office model

About the role

In this role you will be required to provide high quality legal services in a therapeutic court setting. You will conduct complex casework, advocate and provide legal information and advice to clients impacted by drugs and alcohol (including those in custody or on Drug and Alcohol Treatment Orders) in the Magistrates' Court Drug Court.

You will also be required to assist the Senior Lawyer in the Drug Court with mentoring and training other VLA staff, as well as assist in the development and implementation of policies and strategies relating to the delivery of Drug Court services.

This role is based at our Melbourne CBD office on Wurundjeri Country.

About you

As our ideal candidate, you will possess:

• Demonstrated experience dealing with people with drug and alcohol dependency and/or a diagnosis of a mental illness, intellectual disability, acquired brain injury or a neurological impairment.
• Strong knowledge and experience in the practice of criminal law.
• High level of interpersonal, negotiation and communication skills with the ability to liaise effectively with clients, internal and external stakeholders.
• A current Australian practising certificate which entitles you to practise in Victoria as a government legal practitioner (mandatory).

Don't meet every requirement? At VLA, we understand that your work and life experiences can be just as valuable. If you're excited about this role but your CV doesn't align perfectly with our job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or one of our many other opportunities.

About Victoria Legal Aid

We provide legal representation to those who need it most. With over 1400 staff employed in 16 offices across Victoria, we help people with their legal problems by providing information, advice and education with a focus on the prevention and early resolution of legal problems.

Our clients come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds and foster a work culture that's inclusive as well as diverse. Your unique ideas and perspectives are valued so that we best represent the people we serve.

Employee benefits

• Focus on work-life balance including flexible working arrangements
• Hybrid work from home & office model
• Training and professional development opportunities
• Excellent salary packaging options including General Expenses up to $15,900, Meals & Entertainment up to $2,650 and Novated Leasing
• Opportunity to join Myki Commuter Club(and salary package the cost)
• Supportive team environment in modern offices (including free gym and end-of-trip facilities at our CBD office)
• Access to discounted Private Health Insurance

How to apply

To be considered for this role, please submit your current resume and a cover letter addressing the key selection criteria (in particular key selection criteria 2 and 5 noted in the attached Position Description).

If you require adjustments to the recruitment and selection process or need an alternative format to any of the application material, please d on't hesitate to get in touch with our team.

For further information, please review the attached position description or contact Kirsten Matthews, Deputy Managing Lawyer on or

No agency applications will be accepted.

Applications close by 11.59pm on Sunday 14 September 2025.

Other relevant information

It is a requirement that staff attend for office-based days at their primary work location. In line with this requirement, interstate applications will be considered only where the candidate is able and willing to relocate to Victoria, unless part of a border community.

VLA is committed to putting the safety and wellbeing of children first.

Applications close Sunday 14 September 2025 at 11.59pm

Posted

29 August 2025